Amy Hume
Swimming newcomer India Paleg has blown expectations out of the water with her rapid rise to nationals.
Diving head-first into competition training just over a year ago, India never thought she’d reach a major milestone so soon.
Now the 15-year-old from Newham is one to watch at the 2023 Australian Age Championships in April as she debuts in the 50m and 100m breaststroke.
“I’m really excited to get some experience and see what it’s like at that level of competition,” she told the Express.
“I’ll be racing against some of the best 15-year-old girls in Australia. I’m ranked 11th for the 100m breaststroke so I’m hoping to maybe get a final but it will be tough competition.”
Last weekend she competed at the Victorian Open and just two weeks before she qualified for the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:19.23. She earlier secured her place for the 50m breaststroke at 36.14.
“If you had told me a year ago that I’d be at nationals I wouldn’t have believed you,” India said.
“I one day hoped to get to nationals but I thought it would be a few years down the line – not as soon as it has happened.”
India returned to the pool with a laser focus after a break in 2018 to pursue other sports and interests.
During the long days of the COVID-19 pandemic she found herself longing for the water and joined Gisborne Thunder Swimming Club at the end of 2021.
While India’s profile has seen a rapid rise it has all come with dedication to training, coupled with a long-held passion and natural ability.
India trains five times a week in the pool totalling more than eight hours split between Gisborne (three days) and Bendigo. She also fits in at least one gym session a week.
Now in year 10 at Braemar College, India takes the same attitude to her school work. She dreams of studying biomedicine at Melbourne University, with a particular interest in cell biology and cancer research.
Gisborne Thunder club president Kelly Skehan said India was “a surprise package”.
In the club’s history, India is one of a small number of swimmers who have qualified for this event.
“She gets along really well with everyone, as well as being really focused and determined,” Kelly said.
“But the biggest thing that stands out is India’s humility. She can go to many big competitions and has everyone cheering her on but she is very humble about her success.”
India has been working with Gisborne coach Wayne Wilson and Bendigo East head coach John Jordan who have been preparing her for the big event.
John will travel to Queensland to support India and swimmers from the Bendigo club. India’s family will also be there to cheer her on.
Gisborne Thunder will be livestreaming the event on a big screen for club members.
